This healthy broccoli salad without mayo or bacon is crisp & crunchy, vibrant, and packed with antioxidants! It is perfect for summer BBQs, meal prep, or a clean side dish for any dinner and is great for vegan/dairy-free diets!
Salad recipes with broccoli
I just love a lettuce-less salad sometimes. I crave crisp, crunchy meals when the hot weather hits. The perfect way to achieve this? Broccoli! It adds so much texture and is super versatile. I wanted to put a fun spin on classic broccoli salad (that’s usually made with a mayo-based dressing and bacon) and make it a little more wholesome! A mix of crunchy veggies, almonds, and fresh herbs are tossed in an easy, creamy green goddess dressing that is chef’s kiss!
If you love a lettuce-less salad, try my crispy smashed potato salad!
Why You’ll Love This No-Mayo Broccoli Salad
- No mayonnaise, no problem – This recipe uses a light yet creamy dressing made with antioxidant-rich ingredients!
- Crunchy and refreshing – Fresh broccoli, carrots, red onion, and sunflower seeds or almonds give the salad a satisfying texture.
- Quick and easy – Ready in under 15 minutes, no cooking required!
- Meal prep friendly – Stays crisp and flavorful in the fridge for several days.
- Customizable – Want protein? Add chicken, bacon, beans, or tofu! Want to switch up the dressing? Use your fave! Want to add some crunchy veggies? Try cabbage!
Recipe video – how to make broccoli salad
How to make healthy broccoli salad
Full recipe is in the recipe card at the bottom of the post!
Ingredients for the salad
- Broccoli florets (chopped small)
- Shredded carrots
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- Chopped/slivered almonds or sunflower seeds
- Fresh herbs: I love adding a mix of cilantro & parsley
- Microgreens: this is totally optional!
- Optional sweetness: feel free to add some dried cranberries for a little sweetness!
Ingredients For the No-Mayo, green goddess Dressing
This green goddess dressing is so creamy & flavorful, but you can also opt for whatever dressing you prefer if you want to use something store-bought! Try my broccoli salad with honey dijon dressing!
- Greek yogurt or Coconut yogurt
- Lemon Juice
- Avocado
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic clove
- Fresh herbs: cilantro, parsley, dill
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Honey or maple syrup
How to Make Broccoli Salad Without Mayo
Step 1: Prep the veggies.
Chop broccoli into bite-sized pieces. Shred carrots and thinly chop red onion. I love using this veggie chopper!
Step 2: Make the dressing.
In a blender, combine all of the dressing ingredients. Blend until smooth, then taste & adjust as you’d like.
Step 3: Toss everything together.
In a large bowl, combine all salad ingredients. Pour the dressing over and toss until everything is well coated.
Step 4: Chill & serve.
For best flavor, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the broccoli to soften slightly.
Substitutions & Variations
- Vegan: Use plant-based yogurt and maple syrup.
- Add protein: Add chickpeas, bacon, tofu, grilled chicken, etc. for a hearty, higher protein meal.
- Make it a meal prep star: This salad holds up in the fridge for up to 4 days – just store in an airtight container.
- Different dressing: Switch things up with a honey mustard dressing, balsamic, etc.!
FAQ’s
- Can I make this salad ahead of time? Yes! In fact, it tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge! This allows the flavors to marinate a bit!
- Do I need to cook the broccoli first? Nope! Raw broccoli keeps this salad crunchy and fresh. Just be sure to cut it into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Purchase pre-shredded carrots to make it easier on yourself!
More healthy salad recipes to try
- Crunchy thai salad with peanut dressing
- Roasted broccoli caesar salad
- Vegan german potato salad
- Tofu Nicoise Salad
- Broccoli Crunch salad
- Tahini caesar brussels sprouts salad
- Buffalo cauliflower salad with hemp seed ranch
If you try this recipe & love, itd mean the world to me if you left a star rating & review below and tag me in your creations on Instagram @danishealthyeats!
Healthy Broccoli Salad (without mayonnaise or bacon)
Ingredients
Salad
- 5-6 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped fine
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/3 cup red onion, diced finely
- 3/4 cup mixed chopped fresh herbs (cilantro & parsley)
- 1/3 cup slivered almonds or sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (totally optional!)
Creamy green goddess dressing
- 1 1/2 cups packed fresh parsley
- 1 1/2 cups packed fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup fresh dill (or 1-2 tsp dried dill)
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2-3/4 tsp sea salt
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup coconut yogurt or greek yogurt (plain, unsweetened) *or more tahini/mayo
- 2 small lemons, juiced
- water, as needed
Instructions
- Add the chopped broccoli, onion, nuts/seeds, cranberries (if using), herbs, and microgreens (if using) to a large serving bowl. Toss everything well.
- In a blender, combine all of the ingredients. Blend until smooth. Taste & adjust as you'd like. I like to add water as needed, until it reaches my desired consistency. You can keep it thick or thin it out a bit!
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to combine.
- Cover and store in the fridge until ready to serve or enjoy straight away!
